NEWSLETTER
OK. Remember how we did this whole monster four-team trade(s) thing back on Tuesday? Well, it took a breezy five days to rework the whole thing when the Red Sox beefed about the viability of one of the prospects in the deal being a starting pitcher down the road (even though everyone knew he was a reliever, but whatever).
So now, the new deals are reportedly in place, and the Red Sox are getting a much better return, in my view:
BREAKING: The trade that will send Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers has been agreed upon, sources tell ESPN. Outfielder Alex Verdugo and shortstop Jeter Downs are among those who will go to the Boston Red Sox.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 9, 2020
Source confirms Red Sox and Dodgers are in agreement on a deal that will send Mookie Betts and David Price to L.A. for Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs and one other player, pending medical reviews. @JeffPassan 1st with the agreement.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 9, 2020
Deals coming together. #Dodgers in agreement with #MNTwins, pending medical review – Maeda and cash would go to MIN for Graterol and another prospect. Other elements perhaps. Meanwhile, per @JeffPassan, LAD and #RedSox in agreement on Betts and Price for Verdugo-Jeter Downs-plus.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 9, 2020
Again: Trade agreements involving #Dodgers, #RedSox and #MNTwins are pending medical reviews. Dodgers-#Angels deal presumably will happen once three-team blockbuster is official.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 9, 2020
I wonder if the Red Sox are now kicking in more cash to get a better return, having seen how the public sentiments hit them after the original version of the trade was reported.
Ultimately, every team will basically get what they were expecting: the Dodgers will get Betts, Price, and cash (but will also wind up with Graterol), the Red Sox will get Verdugo and prospects (and back under the luxury tax), the Twins will get Maeda for Graterol (and another lesser prospect, but also now gets cash), and the Angels will get Joc Pederson in exchange for prospects.
My word. A lot of the excitement and insanity of this thing sure wore off over the past week, but it’s no less crazy now when you look at it. A monster four-team-ish trade on the doorstep of Spring Training, and the Dodgers are now going to be perversely loaded for 2020 without having seriously damaged their farm system.
UPDATE: It appears to actually be happening this time:
Some of the players have been notified/welcomed by their new team, which is great news. Because it means the medicals are done in the Mookie deal. And that is the best news if sll @alexspeier 1st
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 10, 2020
#Dodgers from #RedSox:
Betts
Price, $48mfrom #MNTwins:
Brusdar Graterol (#MLB No. 83)@MiLB OF
2020 Comp Bal B #MLBDraft pick#RedSox from #Dodgers:
Alex Verdugo
Jeter Downs (#MLB No. 44)
Connor Wong (#Dodgers No. 28)#MNTwins from #Dodgers:
Kenta Maeda, @MiLB player, $10m pic.twitter.com/En4jlG6xG8— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) February 9, 2020
But the subsequent Dodgers-Angels trade is now off? Wut:
No deal between #Dodgers and #Angels, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 10, 2020
